If, when the chips are down, the worlds most powerful nation, the United States of America, acts like a pitiful, helpless giant, the forces of totalitarianism and anarchy will threaten free nations and free institutions throughout the world.

ATTRIBUTION:

President RICHARD M. NIXON, address to the nation on the situation in Southeast Asia, April 30, 1970.Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Richard Nixon, 1970, p. 409.